Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel cover art

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel

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Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel

By: A. J. Hartley, David Hewson
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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About this listen

It is a tale of ghosts, of madness, of revenge - of old alliances giving way to new intrigues. Denmark is changing, shaking off its medieval past. War with Norway is on the horizon. And Hamlet - son of the old king, nephew of the new - becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deception - and murder.

Struggling to find his place in this strange new order Hamlet tries to rekindle his relationship with Ophelia - the daughter of Elsinore’s cunning spy master, a man with plots of his own. Hamlet turns for advice and support to the one person he can trust -- Young Yorick, the slippery, unruly jester, whose father helped Hamlet through a difficult childhood. And all the while the armed forces of Fortinbras, prince of Norway, start to assemble, threatening to bring down Elsinore forever.

Beautifully performed by actor Richard Armitage ("Thorin Oakenshield" in the Hobbit films), Hamlet, Prince of Denmark takes Shakespeare’s original into unexpected realms, reinventing a story we thought we knew.

A. J. Hartley is the New York Times best-selling author of the Will Hawthorne fantasy series and several thrillers, as well as the Darwen Arkwright books for younger readers. He is the Russell Robinson Distinguished Professor of Shakespeare at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

David Hewson is the best-selling author of more than 20 novels, including the Nic Costa crime series and a trilogy of books based on the hit Danish television show The Killing. His most-recent novel, The House of Dolls, begins a new series set in Amsterdam.

Richard Armitage is known to movie audiences around the world as "Thorin Oakenshield" in the trilogy of films based on The Hobbit. Born in Leicester, England, and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Armitage has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and created memorable roles on Robin Hood, North & South, and other British TV series.

©2014 A.J. Hartley, David Hewson (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Denmark Fiction Historical Fiction England Crime Royalty Shakespeare Classics

Critic Reviews

"It's a fresh, contemporary take on Shakespeare's tragedy, one not afraid to create new characters or cut long soliloquies. We get a noirish Hamlet, who, when asked by Laertes if he's ready to fence, blurts out: 'I've been ready all my life.'" ( Associated Press)
"English literature teachers worried about getting pupils entranced by Shakespeare should plug them in to this imaginative gloss on Hamlet before starting on the real thing. Hobbit-fanciers will rejoice to find that Richard “Thorin Oakenshield” Armitage is an outstandingly versatile narrator. This is the one of the most powerful listening experiences that I’ve had." ( The Times London)
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I very much enjoyed this book. Richard Armitages narration was fantastic. Loved it - this adaptation of such a well known story was so enjoyable.

Very enjoyable- loved it

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I loved it. A gripping story and fantastic characters. Loved the jester. He was awesome.

Hamlet, a new perspective

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Like most I know this story well. This novel version was really enjoyable (if a tragedy can be thus). The narration was apt, with consistent accents and you could almost see the oily nature of Polonius and Voldermere while Yorick was the comic relief. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Intriguing treatment of an old story

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Brilliant adaptation of a well known story. Captivating narration/performance by Armitage. I loved this, and didn't want it to end!

Wonderful

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This was an amazing retelling of the classic play. AJ Hartley and David Hewson make Hamlet fresh again and the use of characters like Yorick add another level to an already complex play. Which I absolutely loved. Richard Armitage did a fantastic job narrating this book. He is able to manipulate his voice in such a way that as a listener you can automatically tell which character is currently speaking. This is not a simple thing for an actor to do and I applaud Mr Armitage for his mastery and talent.

A Fantastic Retelling

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One of literature's best known non appearing characters still doesn't appear....well, not to everyone, as the tale marches relentlessly to its dark inevitable ending.

Hamlet shaped differently, but the ending is just the same

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Great adaption from the original. Loved it! Richard Armitage had me hooked from the start.

Great adaption from the original. Loved it!

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Excellent narration and characterisation, compelling plot and execution. An interesting take on an old story.

Highly enjoyed it.

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I absolutely loved this. I would deliberately take the long way to where I was going so I could keep listening. Richard Armitage makes it even better.

Brilliant

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